It's almost time for your visit and I've been giving a bit of thought to what I would like for you to leave at our house this year. I've tried to be a good girl, grateful for what I have and for what I've been blessed with this year. It hasnt been easy with all the surprises and setbacks.

Here is the list of things to leave at our house this year.

For my husband (B), please leave that shiny navy blue corvette that he wants and will not get for himself because he always puts others and their desires/wants/needs before his own. Please leave a continued love of music and talent to put it to paper and share with his clients. Bring a new watch so that the old one can be retired because it is always coming unclasped. Bring him a renewed desire for me because this past year has been very stressful to our intimate relationship. I'd like an additional quarter century of good health so that he'll be around to watch his children grow into adulthood and have families of their own and experience what being a grandfather is all about. Lord knows that he waited long enough to get to be a daddy and he hasn't a clue how much better it gets with being a grandfather :)

For my oldest daughter (A) could you please bring an acceptance letter to the University of Georgia. She's wanted to attend that school since 4th grade and has worked consistently and well to prepare to go there. If you aren't able to find that letter, then please drop a hefty dose of serenity in her stocking so that our entire family won't suffer too badly from the dissapointment. A heaping spoonful of wisdom for another direction so that she can make other plans might make a nice compliment to that serenity. She'd like a new TV with a working remote since her younger brother has ruined the 20 year old one that she has now. Bring her some patience towards her 13 year old sister so that when the going gets rough (as it does just about daily putting up with a 13 year old sister) that she will be able to take it all in stride and not have it ruin her day. I'd like to see her always possess the determination and passion for life and living that she has now - because one day she will need that passion to draw from when life's hills and realities and struggles seem overwhelming and she gets sidetracked with everyday living.

For my second daughter (M), I'd like some hormonal therapy to help her with her PMS and mood swings. On second thought, perhaps that is to help those around her more than herself. She's really wanting an MP3Player and a new stereo system that plays that "noise" (can't hardly call it music can we Santa?). She needs some committment to daily exercise and some friends that won't betray her. She wants about 10 extra hours in a day to be online yacking with her friends and a personal assistant for the rest of her life so that she doesn't have to bother with doing her chores or helping out when other people are in need.

For my son (J), he just wants presents, Santa. Everytime I've tried to pin him down for an answer of what he wants Santa Clause to bring him - he only says, "Presents". Yesterday, he asked for a hippopotomus....but that may be because his daddy has been teaching him that silly song of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" and not because he really wants one. I'd like for him to get his father's talent for writing music and I'd like for you Santa to make it where his life is alwasy as simple and as fun as it is now.....discovering and playing and laughing and learning while being surrounded by people who think you are cute, adorable and love you no matter what while you can take a nap everyday because its expected of you.

For my newest daughter (K), please bring a Madame Alexander Little Huggam's Doll. Every single girl in our family for the past 2 generations has received this dolly, which we affectionately refer to as "Little Susie Doll", for her first Christmas. My mother has always done this and this year, she announced that she isn't doing it. Please bring a huge jar with lid so that I can capture the laughter and joy that (K) feels now when she looks at people around her, and her long lashes and milky smile when she nurses close to my breast. I want for her to know that she is always loved and wanted, even if her arrival was not planned and that she is a bigger blessing to her family than words can even describe.

As for me, Santa.....well, you know most mommies put their children and families before themselves when it comes to their Christmas List. Besides world peace and having you bring all those soilders home safe and immediately to the ones who love and miss them, I'd like you to bring me a dose of grace so that when I'm flustered, as I often am, that I can call upon that grace to help me through the things that I can't let go of. I'd like additional years of health and prosperity so that I can watch my children grow and be successful and learn what it's like to be parents themselves. I want a long term memory because as I get older, it will be more and more important that I be able to remember the little things about my children when they were little...those first smiles, first words, first steps, hugs and kisses and the wonder in their eyes when they sit on your lap and share their list. Bring me an exercise fairy who will cheer me on and make that daily treadmill run such fun that I will not want to ever stop. I'd like to have a nanny this year to come once a week for several hours and play fun learning games with (J) & (K) so that I can get the book work done to run their daddy's business and find the bottom of the pile on my desk and not be so strung out on everything that I feel like I must get accomplished in a day's time. And last - please bring me some hormones that can stimulate some erotic and desirable feelings towards my husband because this past year with being pregnant and not well and then postpartum and nursing - well Santa - I'm missing sex and all the wonderful things that go with that like giggling under the covers, kisses that take your breath away, long and drawnout periods of foreplay and orgasms that are equal to a volcanic eruption.

One last thing - bring my family health and happiness and a lasting love for each other. When I think about all that we want and all that we need - I know that I'm happiest when my family is happy and healthy and that beyond those things - I pretty much can make do.

Oh - and how about bring my X husband a conscience. He owes me for child support and court ordered expenses....its upwards of $4 thousand dollars now and while he says that he's broke and doesnt' have it to give.....I know you must have him on your early list because I found out that he and his ex wife (that he is back together with) just went on a 4 day cruise to the Bahamas as an early Christmas present and since he is broke and couldn't afford to pay his mortgage payment - I knew it must have come from you :)

Merry Christmas Santa.......I'll leave you some milk and cookies made with Splenda.